Urgency is high for the Washington Commanders as they gear up for what promises to be a pivotal training camp. And a strong offseason of recruitment only raises the stakes.
General manager Adam Peters increased competition for places, which was his primary objective. The roster looks younger, faster, and deeper. Those who prove their worth will be rewarded, and previous production in the NFL will no longer be enough.
This is the only way Washington's ambitious project could move forward.
Things disintegrated into irrelevance last season when expectations were higher than they'd been in decades. It was deeply disappointing for the Commanders, but they have the talent to restore pride and potentially challenge for the NFC East crown if their key performers stay healthy.
Some things are set in stone, and those in power will have a good idea of where things stand right now. There is also plenty of time for things to change, and for these five Commanders long shots, they might have a better hope of making the roster than fans realize.
Washington Commanders long shots with more roster hope than fans realize this summer
Quentin Moore - Commanders TE
The Commanders are expected to utilize the tight end position more under new offensive coordinator David Blough. They also have the options needed to ensure his schematic switch goes smoothly.
With Zach Ertz no longer around, the Commanders signed Chig Okonkwo to a three-year, $27 million deal in free agency. He's the new alpha and the No. 1 threat in the passing attack, boasting the speed and dynamism that could become a magnificent asset for quarterback Jayden Daniels.
John Bates is the blocking specialist who can also catch passes when needed. Ben Sinnott could be in line for more work, and Colson Yankoff's special-teams prowess also gives him a fighting chance of sticking around for a third season.
That might be enough. But if the Commanders are intent on giving everyone a legitimate chance to stake a claim, it may be worth keeping a close eye on Quentin Moore's progress this summer.
Moore was a bit-part player over his five years with the Washington Huskies. It was no surprise that he went undrafted, but interest in the player was high enough for the Commanders to give him $250,000 on his rookie deal to ensure they got an extended look at him over the summer.
He's got all the size and athleticism one looks for in a productive tight end in all phases. There is a lot of hard work ahead, and the practice squad remains his most likely destination. But if Moore can shine enough in the coming weeks, it'll give the coaching staff a lot to think about.
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